But there's no room for a nuclear power station in his state, where uranium is abundant, because its energy grid could not accommodate one, he says.

The grid from Brisbane to Adelaide would, however, be suitable, he adds.

Research examining the attitudes of Australians to nuclear power by Macquarie University researchers found more people were likely to become interested in it as the debate on climate change continued.

The survey of 1175 people found they didn't think nuclear power should be embraced over renewable energy but they were likely to accept the building of nuclear power stations if it helped tackle climate change and improved energy security.

So attitudes may be changing.

But not so for the traditional owners of the site earmarked for Australia's first nuclear waste dump at Muckaty Station in the Northern Territory, 120km north of Tennant Creek.

Labor had promised to throw out the Howard government's plans to establish a site for radioactive waste at Muckaty but is still considering it despite the protests of local Aborigines.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott is on the record as saying nuclear power is the only realistic way for Australia to cut its carbon emissions.

But he did not take the policy to the election, saying the time was not right because Australia has an abundant reserve of coal and large reserves of gas.

Nuclear energy would also make electricity bills more expensive Abbott says, something the coalition is railing against in its attacks on the government over the planned introduction of a carbon tax.

Former Telstra boss Ziggy Switkowski, who explored nuclear energy for the Howard government in 2006, says nuclear energy is inevitable and after a few years of talking about it and reassuring people about their concerns, work can start on reactors in the 2020s.

With Australia home to 40 per cent of the world's uranium, yellowcake is an accessible commodity with no local market.

But the debate is likely to be quelled once again because embracing a nuclear-powered future is a risky business when it comes to winning votes.

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